With 2023 now upon us, we look at new projects which could have a big impact on the county this year.
BOTLEY ROAD CLOSURE AND TRAIN STATION IMPROVEMENTS
The multi-million scheme to provide a new western entrance to Oxford Railway Station, a new Botley Road rail bridge, and other upgrades, has been delayed for years.
But work is now under way and a building behind Station Grill is expected to be demolished soon.
The demolition of Station Grill itself, formerly Mick's Cafe, is expected to take place in January.
READ MORE: Residents 'gobsmacked' as Botley Road closure start date is scrapped
Network Rail had planned a 12-month closure of Botley Road at the rail bridge but this plan was abandoned.
Talks are now taking place to decide a new closure schedule.
This will cover the demolition of Station Grill and the youth hostel, the rerouting of utility cables, the replacement of the rail bridge, and the start of construction of the new western entrance of the station.
Using temporary traffic lights with single-lane traffic, which has been tried in the past and would avoid the closure, has been ruled out.
Residents have formed a group called West Oxford Access to lobby Network Rail and the county council during the closure.
OXFORD NORTH
Oxford North, which is being built on 64 acres of land within the city’s northern boundary, seeks to become a “unique home and workplace for scientists, technologists and inventors”.
The development was granted planning permission in March last year and the developers have asked people’s views on parts of the project, including laboratories, communal spaces and a public park.
The district will be split into three areas: Canalside, a 3.58-hectare plot of land to the south of the A40 and north of Port Meadow, where developer Hill Residential will build 317 homes; Central (to the north of the A40 and west of the A44); and Eastside (east of the A44).
The project will deliver one million sq ft of new labs and workspaces including a new innovation centre and 480 new homes.
Around 4,500 people will work there alongside 1,500 residents and there will also be a hotel, nursery, shops, bars, cafes and three public parks.
Oxford North Ventures, who run the project, launched a four-week public consultation on the designs for the central area, which include laboratory buildings totalling 425,000 sq ft and public spaces.
COWELY BRANCH LINE
More than £4m are going to be spent to speed up plans to reopen the Cowley Branch Line to passengers.
The line is currently used for freight services to and from the BMW Mini plant but has not had passenger services for decades.
Oxford City Council approved a £4.56m package to fund the detailed design and feasibility works required for the reopening of the line during a cabinet meeting on December 14.
READ MORE: Oxford train station expansion link to Cowley Branch Line
The money will be spent on the production of a full business case, delivered by Network Rail, which will set out how the project could be implemented and funded.
The plans include two new stations in the south and east of Oxford, to enhance rail connectivity to the city and beyond to Bicester and longer distance destinations.
The first station would be next to the Oxford Science Park, Littlemore and the Ozone Leisure Complex, and would be called Oxford South.
The second, Oxford East, would be next to ARC Oxford (formerly Oxford Business Park), Oxford Retail Park and Blackbird Leys.
WATER EATON
In early 2023 developer Bellway will be submitting of an outline application to Cherwell District Council, the planning authority, for plans for their Water Eaton site, formerly known as PR6a.
The site, which is south of Oxford Parkway station and Park and Ride, adjacent to the northern edge of Oxford at Cutteslowe and east of Oxford Road, is allocated for the development of new homes, a primary school and local centre in the Cherwell Local Plan partial review.
READ MORE: Consultation on plans for 800 new homes near Oxford Parkway
In September, Bellway acquired the land from Christ Church to bring the site forward for development.
In particular, the new plans include:
- Up to 800 new homes, of which 50 per cent will be ‘affordable housing’
- A primary school
- A centre including: retail, a café or restaurant, community building and facilities
- Open space, play areas and allotments
- Travel infrastructure and green spaces for exercise and relaxation
NEW STREET TRADING POLICY
Street vendors in Oxford could be banned from selling single-use plastic, balloons and e-cigarettes.
Oxford City Council is currently asking residents for their views on its updated Street Trading policy.
This would include vendors switching from using single-use plastic and polystyrene to more sustainable food packaging, drinks containers and bags.
The new policy contains a standard restriction so that the council will not allow the sale, use or distribution of single-use plastic in street trading.
Other measures include a ban on the sale of plastic and helium balloons, sky lanterns and e-cigarettes.
The draft policy also encourages traders to deal with customers rubbish responsibly and places a new duty on traders to provide a litter bin for customer waste.
Read more from this author
This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi
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